North Gauteng High Court Judge Nkola Motata has been ordered to pay R20 000 or face 12 months in jail for drunk driving.

Motata was convicted of driving drunk in the Johannesburg Magistrate?s Court last week.

He drove his car into a wall in Hurlingham in 2007.

Earlier, Motata's defence team pleaded for a suspended sentence with no fine.

The advocates told the court it would be difficult for Motata to pay a fine as he had spent close to R1-million in legal fees.

Motata's legal battle has spanned two years during which time he has been on special leave.

Lawyers acting on Motata?s behalf described the trial as mentally and financially draining but the state insisted Motata earned a good salary and should be given a punishment that would deter him from drinking and driving again.